Learn me Knoxville

Looking at a possible move to Knoxville. I've only driven through the area and that was when the interstate through downtown was closed, so I really have only driven around Knoxville. My impression is that of traffic, bad roads, and detours. I went and checked out Oak Ridge a few years back, but this time I need to know about Knoxville itself.

Looking at a job smack in the middle of downtown. Where to live, car scene, things to do, whatever wisdom you've got lay it on me. Will probably make a road trip up there this weekend to put eye balls on target. Looking at renting a house up there for the time being - it's a long story.

I know about the proximity of the Dragon and other great roads. I've been in hour long traffic jams trying to get to Pigeon Forge in the summer time. I've read the Wikipedia page. That's about the extent of my knowledge.

EDIT: Oh, in lest anyone declare that I am ignorant, I will try to make ample use of my wife's smart phone on the trip up.

Knoxvegas is kindof cool.... in a "City meets Deliverance" kinda way.

I like it. SWMBO hates it. Been there quite a few times.

Avoid the Dragon during the middle of summer. Early spring/late fall and NIGHT are the times to go.

Luckily, the Dragon isn't even the best road out there, so no big deal anyways.

Don't know where exactly to live, so i'm not much help, there.

Is it true that Tenn does not have income tax? I hear that once.

That is true. No state income tax in TN, but the sales tax makes up for it.

jhaas will rent you an apartment,, deliver groceries to you, get you drunk, and shred an indoor bowl with you. you should pm him.

oh, and

body-swap your '49 chevy on a challenge budget too.

I know that if you are driving from Knoxville to Richmond and you decide to stop for the night in a little town called Bristol, you had better make sure that NASCAR is not in town that weekend!

In reply to pinchvalve:

Lol. When I moved to AL from VA I drove past the Bristols on the day of a race. I timed is as to pass by in the middle of the race and all was well. Didn't stop till I got to Chattanooga.

In reply to AngryCorvair:

I tried to help jhaas get a rusted out BMW E9 for a challenge car a few years ago. I was in the process of relocating and couldn't really help him out other than sending some pics and chatting with the seller. Seeing the '49 in the magazine I really wished I coulda helped him out with the E9 to see what magic he could've worked on it.

This will be of minimal use. One of my favorite books, Sutree, takes place in Knoxville. I imagine things are different now.

Having lived in Tn. for nearly 22 years, the best thing you can say about the state (well, the scenery isn't too bad) is that it has no income tax. Unfortunately, they tax pretty much EVERYTHING else. When I moved to Florida in January, my mind was still "calibrated" to adding that 7 and 1/2 % to the total when ever I bought something. To make matters worse, some areas have a sort of "added on tax". In Memphis, some things you bought were at 7.5% while others COULD go as high as 9.75%

The cost to register a car will depend on where in the state it's registered. In Memphis it was about $147 for a car....year/make doesn't matter. On the outskirts of Memphis (in UNincorporated areas) the cost was about 1/2 to 2/3rds of that. Areas add-on a "wheel tax" and use the revenue for ....whatever. Cars registered in the "metro" areas (Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga) were required to be smog tested once a year. Memphis still has that, I can't speak for the other cities.

IF, if you are moving to Tennessee, the further WEST you go...the closer you get to some kind of....idiocy triangle. The idiocy triangle consists of Arkansas, Mississippi, and the western part of Tn. So if you don't move to Knoxville, don't bother going any further WEST than Nashville and closer to Chattanooga is preferable.

I'm pretty sure sales tax here is about the same.... i wouldn't be complaining about that sales tax if there was no income tax.

How do you feel about the color "orange" and the song named "Rocky Top"?
Knoxville is alright for a small city. Too much of its social life centers on the UT stuff and you either have to embrace it or run like hell from it. I hear that you can shop or eat in any mall or store during a game and think that you have survived the Big One.
There is only one "bad" section of town but most of the middle or upper end housing is located West of downtown. North Knoxville has finally developed its own shopping areas. The largest shopping area is west and is known as Turkey Creek and it didnt exist 10yrs ago. I dont know what your tolerance is for commuting and that will really determine your choice of residence. However there is no place in Knoxville where rush hour lasts more than 15 minutes unless something really big happens on the interstates. I hope that this info helps.
Where will you be working?

Its not even real orange.

T.J. wrote: Looking at a possible move to Knoxville. I've only driven through the area and that was when the interstate through downtown was closed, so I really have only driven around Knoxville. My impression is that of traffic, bad roads, and detours. I went and checked out Oak Ridge a few years back, but this time I need to know about Knoxville itself. Looking at a job smack in the middle of downtown. Where to live, car scene, things to do, whatever wisdom you've got lay it on me. Will probably make a road trip up there this weekend to put eye balls on target. Looking at renting a house up there for the time being - it's a long story. I know about the proximity of the Dragon and other great roads. I've been in hour long traffic jams trying to get to Pigeon Forge in the summer time. I've read the Wikipedia page. That's about the extent of my knowledge. EDIT: Oh, in lest anyone declare that I am ignorant, I will try to make ample use of my wife's smart phone on the trip up.

post this on etrscca.org... I'm sure you'll get lots of good info from a pretty good group of folk

I a-x on a regular basis with them

NC has 7% sales tax... AND income tax

Thanks for the info everyone.

fastmiata wrote: Where will you be working?

Looking at a job downtown in the TVA tower. I currently live in AL, so if a person is not wearing Crimson Tide clothes on a Saturday in the fall, then chances are they are wearing Auburn stuff and they either will continually spount "Roll Tide" or "War Eagle" at random intervals, so orange T's and Rocky Top I can live with. SSDD.

What about east of downtown, say Seymour, TN?

In reply to T.J.:

Strawberry Plains, Kodak, Jefferson City, Dandridge are to the east. I would not recommend Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or anything in Sevier County due to the tourist factor for 9mos or so of the year.
If I had to work downtown, I would consider Halls or Fountain City. The burgers and red velvet cake will make it worthwhile.
Seymour can be ok but you have to run Chapman Highway every day and your insurance will be higher. Too many opportunities for some idiot to pull out in front of you at any moment. Me? I live between Farragut and Lenoir City. ETR is a great group of car guys and run most of the events at Pellissippi State. We do have an event soon at Adesa Auto Auctions benefiting the United Way. There is also a cars and coffee gathering every month on Sherway Drive(the place keeps changing names so I dont remember) . There is always a group making a run to the Dragon or other places in the mountains.

I got some really good food at the Falafal Hut when passing through the UTK area a few years ago...

everything that angry said is true...call me dude, seriously, number is on my website

Knoxville rocks

oh and im entering a LT1 powered roadmaster in this...sept 12th

spitfirebill wrote: Its not even real orange.

Garbage man orange.